Reciprocity with the Earth Leveraging India’s Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Planetary Well-Being

Abstract : The health and well-being of individuals, communities, the environment, and the planet are multidimensional indicators of a life well lived. It encompasses both human well-being and environmental well-being. It is a state in which people and ecosystems thrive in an equitable balance of resources within their local natural environments. Well-being promotes planetary health and sustainable development. The Earth is facing the negative externalities of industrialisation – loss of biodiversity, pollution and waste, global warming, and climate change. This has endangered both human and planetary well-being. An insight into the history of religious, cultural, and indigenous communities across the globe demonstrates that they recognised the social contract between individuals and the environment and have honoured it. They acknowledged the reciprocity and interconnectedness between nature and society. These indigenous communities thrived within their ecological surroundings, guided by their informal livelihood practices and ‘traditional ecological knowledge’. India’s traditional knowledge is a treasure trove of practices for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and the sustainable management of finite natural resources. It is evident across a wide range of practices, such as agroforestry, water conservation, and sacred groves. This paper explores this TEK, which must be leveraged to achieve planetary well-being. Drawing on historical, cultural, and regional contexts, the research paper analyses the multifaceted Indian TEK practices for sustainable living that should be incorporated into contemporary environmental governance. The paper discusses the documentation and preservation of indigenous knowledge, fostering education and capacity-building, and advocates for inclusive policy frameworks to support a sustainable future and long-term ecological well-being